There are a number of museums in Zakynthos to explore during your
holiday in Greece. All of the museums here give you an insight into the
history of Zante - you can take your pick of the museums depending on
your own interests.
The Vertziago Folk Museum
The Zakynthos Cultural and Agricultural Museum was founded in 1998 in
the small village of Pigadakia, close to the town of Alykes. The
Zakynthos Cultural and Agricultural Museum exhibits the culture and
traditions of the Greek rural world, specifically typical to the island
of Zakynthos.
Rare works on display date back to the XVI century, including tools,
and very rare and ancient local handcrafts. The museum is a
reconstitution of a traditional house: a dining room, kitchen and
bedroom decorated with traditional furniture and everyday life utensils.
An old fashioned grind is also displayed in the museum, which was used
to press grapes and olives.
Museum of Dionysios Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians
The Museum of Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians was founded in 1959 by
admirers of the fine arts in Zakynthos. Located in St. Marko Square,
next to the Catholic Church, the Museum, also known as the Museum of
Solomos and Kalvos, houses the relics of two famous poets from Zakynthos,
Dionysios Solomos and Andreas Kalvos.
The Museum of Solomos and Eminent Zakynthians has been in operation
since 1966 and since 1968, the bones of the national poets, Dionysios
Solomos and Andreas Kalvos, have been laid to rest in its Mausoleum.
A large number of manuscripts of the national poet Dionysios Solomos
are on display here, along with some of his personal belongings. A
collection of portraits of eminent Zakynthians, and an interesting
collection of icons are also on display.
The Solomos and Kalvos Museum portrays a variety of local handcrafts,
artworks and paintings of the XVIII and XIX century, carved pottery,
sculptures and ancient musical instruments. You also get to see clothes
and weapons of noble families of the last century. Many portraits
dedicated to the important people of the island of Zakynthos are
represented, along with a collection of coats of arms.
The Museum also has a well-stocked library containing a large
collection of documents, and also period furniture, an archaeological
and folk art collection as well as a collection of interesting
photographs.
Museum of Grigorios Xenopoulos
The Museum of Xenopoulos is located close to the Church of Agios
Dionysios, in the capital of Zakynthos, and is dedicated to the life and
work of the Greek novelist and play writer Grigorios Xenopoulos
(1867-1951).
It houses a collection of manuscripts and personal objects of the artist
as well as some furniture from the writer's period.
The Roma Family Mansion
The Roma family mansion is one of the few old buildings that were left
standing after the earthquake of 1953. The Romas Family Mansion museum
is located in the mansion of Alexander Roma, President of the Greek
Parliament and the creator of the "Greek Red Shirts" military unit with
which he fought for the liberation of the city of Ioannina. Alexander
Roma remains a great personality of modern Greek political and military
history.
The Roma Mansion was built in 1660 by the Vice Consul of England in
Zante, Robert John Geoffrey. During the period of the "English
Protection" (1816-64) the Roma Mansion was the seat of the English
Resident of Zante and was known by local people as "Residenza".
The mansion was purchased by Alexander Roma in 1880. The Roma Mansion
represents an example of the old urban Zante architecture. The large,
beautifully decorated rooms include libraries consisting of rare
editions, a large collection of family portraits, paintings, gravures,
old weapons and various objects of art - all reflecting the lifestyle of
the old Zantiote Aristocracy.
The Roma mansion is located in central Zakynthos Town, over the road
from the seafront, at 19 Louka Karer Street, just a couple of minutes
stroll from Solomos Square and the Town Hall.
The Post Byzantine Museum
Located in the capital of Zakynthos, at the back of Solomos Square,
the Post-Byzantine museum was built after the earthquake of 1953. It
houses a rich collection of various ecclesiastical items, superb carved
masterpieces, post-Byzantine icons, wooden works of art, wood carvings
dating from the 16th century, reconstructed frescoes and a fantastic
model of Zante Town before the 1953 earthquake.
At the Post Byzantine Museum you glimpse the evolution of art from
the post Byzantine period through to contemporary Greek art. The
Byzantine museum, which was opened to the public in 1960, is spread over
three floors.
Inside the Post Byzantine Museum you will also see a model of Zakynthos
Town, depicting Zakynthos Town prior to its destruction from the
earthquake in 1953.
The Zakynthos Naval Museum
The Zakynthos Naval museum is located in Strani hill at the back of
Zakynthos Town. The Naval Museum was founded by Antonis Mylonas, an
artist connected to the world of the sea. Antonis Mylonas portrayed the
naval history of Greece in one hundred and forty watercolour paintings.
The Zakynthos Naval museum is the only Greek museum to give a precise
portrait of the national naval history of Greece from the 1700's to
present time. It is also the only museum in the world to exhibit
different models of Byzantine ships since the foundation of the
Byzantine empire to its overthrow in 1453. Also on display are
accessories associated with the most popular Greek warships, naval
costumes, board books and epoch pictures.
Helmis Natural History Museum
The Helmis Museum of Natural History is located in the mountainous
village of Agia Marina, in the centre of the island of Zakynthos, around
14km from Zante Town. It was established in 2000 by a private initiative
and aims to preserve and present the rare flora, fauna and sea life of
the island.
On display here is a truly wonderful display of the natural habitat
in Zakynthos. You will learn more about the geography of the island,
natural plants, and the existence of the Caretta Caretta turtles. This
is a fascinating and informative local museum displaying more than 1500
samples from the natural world. This is an enchanting and educational
museum to visit - highly recommended.
At the Helmis Natural History Museum you have the opportunity to become
familiar with the natural heritage of Zakynthos, at the same time
informed about the delightful trips you can take on the island.
Following a visit to the Helmis Natural History Museum in Zante you will
be more familiar with the main ecosystems of the island.
The Helmis Natural History Museum collections include specimens from
the flora and fauna of Zakynthos. Since it opened in 2000 it has become
regarded as one of the most promising museums of its kind in Greece and
the Balkans.
Zakynthos Town Hall Library
The Zakynthos Town Hall Library is located in a large building in
Solomos Square.
With books dating back to the early 1600s, donated by people in
Zakynthos from private collections, it is possible to find rare books
concerning the history and tradition of Zakynthos, treaties of famous
writers, copies of old newspapers and mementoes surrounding the second
world war, as well as pictures of Zakynthos before the earthquake in
Zakynthos in 1953.
